Pharmacal package construction

ABSTRACT

A pharmacal package construction wherein a pair of blister sheets are closed by respective backing sheets and arranged with the blisters in proximate relation so that the backing sheets are outermost, the blister sheets being provided with detachably interfitting formations, to releasably retain the blister sheets and their backing sheets in position defining a package effectively protected by the backing sheets.

I United States Patent [151 3,659,706

Serrell 51 May 2, 1972 [54] PHARMACAL PACKAGE [56] References Cited NSTRTI N CO UC 0 UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] smel" Have'fmd 3,389,825 6/1968Whiteford ..206/65 R [73] Assignee: Parke, Davis & Company, Detroit,Mich. 3,374,9l7 3/1968 Troy ..2l5/l0 [22] Filed: Apr 24, 1970 3,246,7464/1966 Holley... ..206/65 R [21] Appl. No.: 31,534 PrimaryExaminerWilliam T. Dixson, Jr.

Attorney-Robert R. Adams, David B. Ehrlinger, George M. RelatedApplication Data Richards and Edward J. Gail [63] Continuation-impart ofSer. No. 831,557, June 9,

1969, Pat. No. 3,603,453, Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 877,075, Nov.17, 1969.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A pharmacal package construction wherein a pair ofblister sheets are closed by respective backing sheets and arranged withthe blisters in proximate relation so that the backing sheets areoutermost, the blister sheets being provided with detachablyinterfitting formations, to releasably retain the blister sheets andtheir backing sheets in position defining a package effectivelyprotected by the backing sheets.

6 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAY 2 m2 3, 659 706 sum 1 or 3 lA lf/vfd/fi JOHN J. SERRELL PATENTEDMAY 2 4972 SHEET 2 BF 3 W w w w SERRELLJOHN J.

PHARMACAL PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis patent application is a continuationin-part of the eopending patentapplications Ser. No. 831,557 filed June 9, 1969, now US. Pat. No.3,603,453 and Ser. No. 877,075 filed Nov. I7, 1969, both assigned to acommon assignee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While the package construction of theinstant invention has been primarily developed and employed in thepharmaceutical field, and particularly for in-hospital dispensing ofdrugs, it is appreciated that the novel features disclosed herein arecapable of many varied applications, all of which are intended to becomprehended.

As is well known to those versed in the hospital administration field,the dispensation of drugs, accurately and efficiently, presents manyproblems both economic in nature and per tinent to health, safety andlaw enforcement.

The conventional compounding of prescriptions in the hospital pharmacy,many of which prescriptions are transported more or less loosely on atray to the various patients rooms leaves innumerable possibilities forinadvertent error, as in loss, transposition of prescriptions, as wellas pilferage, and the like.

Consonant with advanced thinking in the field, it is desirable to employprepackaged drugs, thereby minimizing or eliminating the possibility ofcontamination through handling and exposure, and to automaticallyinventory, store and dispense the required drugs in a manner includingthe maintenance of completely accurate and current records of drugsordered, prescribed, dispensed and consumed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the instantinvention, there is provided a highly improved pharmacal package construction which permits of economical fabrication and filling by thedrug manufacturer, being capable of carrying all required indicia inready visually accessible location, being shipped and stored in itsoriginal package to insure sterility, adapted for convenient automatichandling and dispensing, say from conventional dispensing machines, andwhich provides a continuing record of the actual drug and dosageadministered to the patient, the quantity remaining to be administered,and further insures that the drug reaches the patient in its originalsterile condition.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pharmacalpackage construction having the advantageous characteristics mentionedin the previous paragraph, which is extremely simple in structure,durable throughout storage, handling and use, and which can beeconomically manufactured and effect substantial economies in costs ofhandling.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide apharmacal package of the type described wherein the patientsprescription may be conveniently incorporated and retained for futurereference, from which individual doses are conveniently removed withoutdefacement of the package as a whole, so that even the last remainingdose does not inadvertently go lost, but remains a part of the entirepackage until consumed.

It is among additional objects of the present invention to providepackaged constructions having the advantageous features describedhereinbefore, wherein the blister sheets may be selectively held inadjacent relation, as determined in manufacture, by interfitting,detachable holding formations, both with and without hingesinterconnecting the blister sheets, and wherein the interfitting holdingformations are highly effective to retain the blister sheets in theirheld condition, preventing inadvertent or accidental separation thereof,while permitting of quick and easy deliberate manual separation ordetachment of the formations.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide apharmacal package construction of the type described wherein individualdoses may be removed from the package without defacement of the packageas a whole, and further wherein the package may be separated intoindividual doses without opening of the package to expose or otherwisecontaminate the contents.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective viewillustrating a finished package constructed in accordance with theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, taken generallyalong the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating differentoperational aspects of the instant invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a blank of the present invention adaptedto be formed into a pair of blister sheets.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view, somewhat enlarged, taken generallyalong the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the blank of FIG. 4 folded into a pair ofblister sheets in back-to-back relation with each other.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view, somewhat enlarged, taken generallyalong the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a further embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial side elevational view taken generally along the line9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating still another embodiment ofthe instant invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 10, showing the embodimentthereof in exploded condition.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of theinstant invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view, partly in section, taken generally along theline 13-43 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view, partly in section, taken generally alongthe line l4-l4 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a blank adapted to be formed into a pairof blister sheets in the embodiment of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a partial transverse sectional view taken generally along theline 16-16 of FIG. 15, somewhat enlarged for clarity.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the blank of FIG. 15 folded upon itselfto define a pair of blister sheets.

FIG. 18 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 18-18illustrating the interfitting formations of the blister sheets of FIG.17.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 19-19 furtherillustrating the interfitting formations of the blister sheets.

DESCRIPTION OFTHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 1-7 thereof, a packageconstruction is generally designated 20 in FIGS.; ,1, 2 and 3. Thepackage construction 20 may include a pair of blister sheets 21 and 22disposed in generally parallel, facing spaced relation, respectivelyformed with a plurality of blisters 23 and 24. The blisters 23 and 24 ofthe respective sheets 21 and 22 extend inward toward each other and aredisposed in proximate relation, while the internal hollows of theblisters face outwardly and are closed by backing or cover sheets 25 and26 secured to respective blister sheets 21 and 22. One pair of adjacentedges of the blister sheets 21 and 22 may be swingably connected by ahinge member or extension 27, while the backing or cover sheets 25 and26 may be hingedly connected together by an extension or hinge member 28overlying the hinge member 27.

In FIG. 4 is illustrated a blank, generally designated 30, from whichare formed the blister sheets 21 and 22, and the interconnecting memberor hinge part 27. In particular, the blank 30 is of elongate generallyrectangular outline configuration, one generally rectangular end portiondefining the blister sheet 21, the opposite generally rectangular endportion defining the blister sheet 22, and the intermediate, generallyrectangular portion defining the hinge part 27. In the illustratedembodiment, the blister sheet 21 is subdivided into a plurality ofrectangular portions or sections, such as the rectangular sections 31,each being bounded by the sheet edges and lines of perforation orweakening, as at 32, such that the intersecting lines of weakening 32combine with the sheet edges to define a plurality of rectangularsections 31. Formed centrally in each section 31 of the blister sheet 21is a blister, as at 33. The blisters 33 in the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 1-7 are generally circular or cylindrical, but may be of otherdesired configuration. Further, each blister 33 includes a generallycircular back wall or bottom 34 depressed out of the plane of theblister sheet 21, and a peripheral or side wall 35 extending about theperiphery of the back wall or bottom 34 and toward the sheet 21. As seenin FIG. 4 and the enlarged sectional view of FIG. 5, the blisters 33 areraised or protrude upwardly, having their interior hollow 36 opening orfacing downwardly.

The opposite end portion of blank 30 defines the blister sheet 22, beinggenerally rectangular in outline configuration and subdivided into aplurality of rectangular blister sheet portions or sections 41 by agridwork of lines of perforation or weakening, as at 42, correspondingto the gridwork of perforate lines 32. In the illustrated embodiment,the blister sheet 22, together with its lines of perforation 42 iscongruent with the blister sheet 21 and its lines of perforation 32.Further, centrally of each generally rectangular section or portion 41of blister sheet 22, there is formed therein a blister 43. The blisters43 are formed from the material of the blister sheet 22, being generallycircular and raised from the blister sheet in the illustratedembodiment, best seen in FIG. 5. It will there be apparent that theblister 43 is raised to form a bottom or back wall 44, spaced from theplane of the blister sheet 22. The bottom or back wall 44 may be ofcircular configuration, as in the illustrated embodiment, or otherwise,and a peripheral or side wall 45 extends about the periphery of theblister bottom or back wall 44 and extends therefrom to the blistersheet 22.

- The blisters 43 may be formed from the material of the sheet 22, andthe blister back wall or bottom 44 may be slightly depressed or recessedto a level below the outer end of the side wall 43, the latter includingan outwardly extending end portion 46 which curves or bends upon itselfat its outer end 47, and extends thence inwardly, as at 48 to the bottomor back wall 44. By this recessed configuration of bottom or back wall44 within the peripheral wall portion 48, there is defined therein arecessed or female formation 50, for a purpose appearing presently.

In practice, see FIGS. 6 and 7, the blank 30 is foldable along theadjacent pair of perforate lines 32 and 42, to swing the blister sheets21 and 22 into congruent overlying, parallel spaced relation. Theblisters 33 of sheet 21 are configured for snug conformable interfittingprojection into the respective female formations 50 of the blisters 43,see FIG. 7. Thus, the blisters 33 each define a male formation extendingnormal to the plane of blister sheet 21, while the hollow or recess 50of each blister 43 defines a female formation extending inwardly towardand normal to its associated blister sheet 22.

In practice, before swinging of the blister sheets 21 and 22 into theirparallel facing spaced relationship, it is preferred to fill theblisters 33 and 43 with contents, such as pharmaceutical pills ortablets. After filling, a suitable blank is secured in congruentrelation with the filled blister sheets 21 and 22 to define the outerblister closure or backing sheets 25 and 26 and hinge part 28. Inpractice, the blank 30 may be suitably formed, say by thermoforming, ofplastic material, and the backing sheets 25 and 26, and their connectionmember 28 may be a laminate of foil, plastic and cardboard, or othersuitable sheet material.

The outer closure or backing sheets 25 and 26 may preferably be ofrectangular configuration congruent to their respective blister sheets21 and 22, and the backing sheets may each be formed with lines ofperforation or weakening, weakening lines being shown in backing sheet25 at 52 in FIG. 1, configured to substantially conformably overlierespective weakening lines 32 of adjacent blister sheet 21. Theperforate lines may be formed simultaneously after assembly, if desired.Similarly, backing or closure sheet 26 may be formed with lines ofweakening or perforation at 53, respectively overlying the lines ofweakening or perforation 42 of the adjacent blister sheet 22.

Following the filling of blisters 33 and 43 with contents, the backingor closure sheets 25 and 26 may be secured in their closing relation, asby heat-sealing or other suitable adhesive means, a lamination of metalfoil providing an effective moisture and vapor barrier to protect thecontents. A lamination or layer of cardboard in the backing sheets 25and 26 permitting of convenient printability for conveying essentialinformation as to the contents, its dispensation, and other copymaterial.

In the completed package condition of FIGS. 1 and 2, the blister sheets21 and 22, and their associated backing sheets 25 and 26, have beenswung relative to each other about the hinge 27, 28 into parallel spacedfacing relationship. Further, the male formations defined by blisters 33have been conformably engaged into respective female formations 50 ofblisters 43. This interfitting engagement and disengagement requiresmovement of the blister sheets 21 and 22 generally normal to theirplanes, which movement is prevented by the hinge part 27, 28, in theabsence of deliberate manipulation by a user. By this structure, thepackage 20 remains in its folded condition with the blister sheets 21and 22 swung into parallel spaced facing relation against accidental orinadvertent action.

When it is intended to remove a single article of contents, see FIG. 3,a single section of the closure or backing sheet 25, as at 55, isseparated from the remainder of the backing sheet along the severancelines 52, being simultaneously peeled from the associated section 31 ofthe blister sheet 21. This exposes a single article or dose 56 forremoval from the package.

If it is desired to remove a single article of contents or close fromthe package without exposing the article of contents, see FIG. 3, ablister sheet section 31a, together with its closing backing sheetsection 5511, may be detached along the severance or perforate lines 32of the blister sheet at 52 of the backing sheet. In this manner, anycopy or directions for use, or the like, may remain with the article ofcontents until its administration.

As set forth in detail in said copending patent applications, theinstant package construction 20 also permits of convenient automatichandling, say in article dispensing machines, and otherwise.

While the package 20 of FIGS. 1-7 is illustrated as including a hingepart 27-28, it is appreciated that the hinge part may be omitted, ifdesired under certain conditions.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, a package is there generallydesignated 120, and may include a plurality of generally rectangularblister sheets 121 formed with blisters 133 and provided with closure orbacking sheets 125, similar to the first described blister sheets 21,blisters 33 and backing sheets 25. Additionally, there are provided aplurality of blister sheets 122, formed with blisters 143 and providedwith closure or backing sheets126, all similar to the blister sheets 22,blisters 43 and backing sheets 26. The blister sheets 122, in theembodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, are arranged in end-toend relation withtheir female formation blisters 143 extending upwardly, and the blistersheets 121 are arranged in endto-end relation with their male formationblisters 133 extending downwardly. Further, the upper blister sheets 121are located in overlapping or staggered relation with respect to thelower blister sheets 121, the depending male formation blisters 133engaging into the nether upwardly facing female formation blisters 143.In this manner, a continuous package 120 of any desired length may beformed, as for automatic handling, printing, or the like. If desired,the lower layer may include both male and female formation blisters, sayin alternate groups, as may the upper layer. This interfitting assemblyprovides a staunch and rigid structure.

A package is generally designated 220 in FIG. 10, and may include theelements of the package 120 in FIGS. 8 and 9, but in a differentcombined relationship with each other. More specifically, a pair orother number of blister sheets 122 may be disposed in side-by-siderelation with their female formation blisters 143 extending upwardly,and a pair or other number of blister sheets 121 may be disposed inside-by-side relation with respect to each other, over and extendingacross a plurality of the blister sheets 122, with the male fonnationblisters 133 projecting downwardly. In such assembly, the male formationblisters 133 may conformably engage in the upwardly facing femaleformation blisters 143, so that a plurality of the blister sheets may bedetachably secured together to define the package 220 of convenienthandling size and configuration.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 12-19, a slightly modifiedpackage constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 12 and there generally designated 320. Thepackage 320 is essentially similar to the package 20, including a pairof generally rectangular, parallel spaced, facing blister sheets 32].and 322 having their blisters extending toward and in proximate relationwith each other. A hinge part 327 extends between one adjacent pair ofedges of the blister sheets 321 and 322. Secured on the outer faces orsurfaces'of the facing blister sheets 321 and 322 are respective closureor backing sheets 325 and 326, which are respectively congruent to theadjacent blister sheet, and an additional hinge part 328 may extendbetween an adjacent pair of edges of the backing sheets 325 and 326,closely along the hinge part 327. The blister sheets 321 and 322, andconnecting hinge part 327 may all be integrally formed, as bythermoforming, or otherwise, of a single blank 330, best seen in FIG.15. The blank 330 is subdivided by suitable lines of weakening into apair of generally congruent, rectangular end portions defining blistersheets 321 and 322, respectively, and an intermediate portion defining ahinge part 327. Further, each of the blister sheets is subdivided bylines of weakening or perforation, the blister sheet 321 beingsubdivided into a plurality of generally rectangular sections 331 bycrossing lines of perforation or weakening, as at 332. The blister sheet322 is similarly subdivided into generally rectangular sheet portions orsections 341 by a plurality of crossing lines of weakening orperforation 342.

Each of the sections 331 of blister sheet 321 is formed, say from thematerial thereof, with a raised portion or blister, as at 333, whileeach of the sections 341 of the blister sheet 322 is formed with araised blister 343.

The blisters 333 and 343 may all be substantially identical, with theblisters 343 being rotated approximately one hundred and eighty degreeswith respect to the blisters 333. That is, the blister sheet 321 issubstantially identical to the blister sheet 322, but in the blank 330,the blister sheets are rotated one hundred and eighty degrees withrespect to each other. As all of the blister formations 333 and 343 aresubstantially identical, a single such blister is shown in FIG. 16, anddescription thereof will suffice.

It will there be seen that the blister 343 is raised out of the plane ofthe blister sheet 322 including a raised outer or back wall 344 havingan upper portion 347 and a lower portion 348 connected together by anintermediate, generally vertical connecting wall portion 349. As bestseen in FIG. 15, the outer back wall portion 347 is of an elongateconfiguration, while the lower or inner back wall portion 348 is of ashorter, generally rectangular configuration. A peripheral or side wall345 extends circumferentially about the back wall 344, extendingtherefrom to the blister sheet 322. Thus, the peripheral or side wall344 is of greater vertical extent along the outer back wall portion 347than along the lower back wall portion 348.

Additionally, the outer back wall portion 347 is formed from thematerial thereof with a outwardly or upwardly upset, male formation orprojection 334, while the lower back wall portion 348 is formed from thematerial thereof with an inwardly or downwardly depressed femaleformation or recess 350. The female formation 350 may depend toward andterminate short of the plane of the blister sheet 322.

In FIG. 7 it will be observed that the blister sheet 321 has been swungabout the hinge part 327 into congruent, parallel spaced overlyingrelation with respect to the blister sheet 322. In this condition, byreason of the lreversal of the blisters 333 and 343, the blisters ofrespective sheets are configured for complementary interfittingrelation. This condition is best seen in FIG. 18 wherein the raised orupper back wall portion of each blister 343 and 333 engages the lower orinner back wall portion of the adjacent blister of the other sheet.Further, the male formation or projection on the outer back wall portionof each blister conformably engages in the female formation or recess onthe inner or lower back wall portion of the adjacent blister of theother blister sheet.

This condition is also shown in FIG. 19.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that the raised or upper back wallportion of each blister 333 and 343 is interiorly unobstructed, and somay readily receive an article of contents, such as a capsule 356, shownin FIGS. 13 and 14.

By the extension of the male formations 343 and female formations 350generally normal to their associated blister sheets 321 and 322, and thebacking sheets 325 and 326, it will be understood that disengagement orseparation of the interfitting male and female formations requiresmovement normal to the planes of the blister and backing sheets. As thismovement is restrained by the hinge 327, 328, disengagement of the maleand female formations can only be effected by deliberate manualoperation, rather than accident or inadvertence.

However, access to the contents of the blisters may be achieved in thesame manner as in the previously described embodiments. The embodimentof FIGS. 12-19 utilizing a hermaphrodite type of male and femaleformation, wherein each blister and its detachable formations beingsubstantially identical to each other, for simplicity in manufacture anddouble the number of interfitting connections, when such constructionmay be desired.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides apharmacal package construction which fully accomplishes its intendedobjects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture,filling, distribution and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pharmacal package construction comprising a pair of backing sheets,a pair of unitary blister sheets each having hollow blisters and securedto one of the backing sheets with the blister hollows facing therespective backing sheet, said backing sheets serving to close saidblisters, contents in said blisters and detachable intetfitting male andfemale formations on the backs of said blister sheets releasably holdingthe latter together with the blisters in back-to-back proximate relationand said backing sheets outermost, to define a package externallyprotected by said backing sheets, and hinge means swingably connectingtogether an adjacent pair of edges of said backing sheets, for relativeswinging movement of said backing sheets and their associated blistersheets,

said interfitting formations extending generally normal to the planes ofsaid backing sheets, to resist inadvertent detachment of said formationsupon relative swinging movement of said backing sheets.

2. A pharmacal package construction according to claim 1, said blisterseach comprising a back wall spaced from said backing sheet, andaperipheral wall extending about the periphery of said back wall andtoward said backing sheet, said female formations each comprising atleast a portion of a blister back wall depressed into the blister towardthe associated backing sheet.

3. A pharmacal package construction according to claim 2, said maleformations each comprising at least a portion of the

2. A pharmacal package construction according to claim 1, said blisterseach comprising a back wall spaced from said backing sheet, and aperipheral wall extending about the periphery of said back wall andtoward said backing sheet, said female formations each comprising atleast a portion of a blister back wall depressed into the blister towardthe associated backing sheet.
 3. A pharmacal package constructionaccording to claim 2, said male formations each comprising at least aportion of the blister back wall protruding away from the associatedbacking sheet.
 4. A pharmacal package construction according to claim 3,said blister back walls each being configured to define a male andfemale formation.
 5. A pharmacal package construction according to claim4, said blister sheets being identical.
 6. A pharmacal packageconstruction according to claim 3, said male and female formations eachcomprising the entire back wall and adjacent peripheral wall portion ofa respective blister.